Colts choose not to have post-London bye

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Wembley Stadium in London

Colts choose not to have post-London bye

Wembley Stadium in London

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (April 15, 2016) – No, the NFL didn’t stick it to the Indianapolis Colts by insisting they keep on playing after their Oct. 2 trip to London.

The decision for the Colts’ bye to come in week 10 (Nov. 13) rather than after they face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Wembley Stadium rests solely with the Colts, according to a league source.

It’s the first time since the league initiated its international outreach program to London in 2007 – 17 games, including three this season – a team playing across the pond hasn’t had a bye the following week.

When authoring the upcoming schedule, the NFL allows teams to request a post-London bye.

The Colts declined. With a 9:30 a.m. kickoff (Indy time), the team reasoned it would return to Indy at an earlier time than if it had played a game on the West Coast.

Coach Chuck Pagano always had preferred the bye coming later in a season to better deal with mounting injuries.

After facing the Jaguars in London, the Colts entertain the Chicago Bears Oct. 9 in Lucas Oil Stadium.